I SAW YOU TODAY

Dear Gabe,

Its one thing to look through the pictures you and your buddies took there in Iraq, but its a whole different ball game to see pictures someone else has taken of you in that very dangerous part of the world.  Its weird, at first I was excited when I saw your unit printed underneath the pictures.  After turning a few pages I realized that I was holding my breath, wanting to see more, and yet not wanting to at the same time.  The captions took my breath away 'running for cover', 'taking fire'.  I found myself cussing at the unseen enemy.

And then I saw this picture, a familiar face in the collage of war.  Beneath the dust and camouflage, beyond the hardness of a soldier I saw my son, and I couldn't have been more proud.

Be safe, be strong, and hurry home.

Love you always,

Mom~